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Welcome back for day 3 of our Magnolia sew along. Today we will be creating an unlined bodice for the magnolia top/dress.

To get started, grab your bodice and sleeve pieces. Because the bodice is unlined, you should only have one front and one back bodice main piece. Follow the pattern instructions to sew the bodice front/back pieces at the shoulders and on the sides. DO NOT sew the neckline just yet. We will leave the edges raw until after we attach the sleeves.

Skip to the pattern instructions for attaching sleeves. Follow the instructions as written in the pattern.

Now, lets create and attach our neck binding.

First, you will need to cut a neck binding piece. To do this, measure the circumference of your neck opening by using a piece of string. Take that measurement and multiply by 0.8. That will be the length. Cut a piece of fabric 2” x your custom length. Be sure to cut the neck band so the length runs in the direction of most stretch. For example, my neck length was 16, so my band size was 2 x 12 2/3.

Next, fold the neck band in half width-wise, right sides together. Sew to attach at the short seam. Press the seam open.

Fold the neck band in half length-wise, wrong sides together. Press to create a crease. This will make it easier to work with in the following steps.

Find the middle of the front of the neck band and mark it with a pin or clip. Fold the neck band to find the center of each side and mark these points as well. Your neck band is now quartered.

Do the same to the neckline of your bodice and mark the quarter points.

Place your neck band along the neckline, keeping raw edges aligned and right sides together. Match up the neckband and shirt quarter markings and pin together.

Stretch the neckband as you sew to attach it to the bodice. Be careful not to stretch the bodice neckline, only the neck band! Check to make sure the fit is correct. If it is, trim the seam allowance to 1/4" and finish with a serger or zig zag stitch. Press the seam down toward the shirt and topstitch if desired.

You now have a completed bodice! Make sure to head over to our Facebook group and share pictures of your completed bodices! We can’t wait to see all your gorgeous work!

Join us tomorrow where we will learn how to construct the skirt portion of your magnolia top or dress.